Bending Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite Beams Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars

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Title: Bending Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composite Beams Reinforced with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bars

Author(s): Helen Negash Shiferaw, Shugo Takasago, Hideto Sasaki, and Toshiyuki Kanakubo

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 123

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 121-132

Keywords: bending test; compression failure; fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC); fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP); section analysis; stress-strain model

DOI: 10.14359/51750584

Date: 7/1/2026

Abstract:
This study investigates the bending performance of fiber-reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) beams reinforced with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars through experimental and analytical programs. A one-sided cyclic bending test with controlled displacement for polyvinyl alcohol FRCC (PVA-FRCC) beams reinforced with aramid FRP and aramid FRCC (A-FRCC) reinforced with carbon FRP and section analysis were conducted. Both beams were designed primarily to fail in compression to avoid brittle failure due to FRP rupture. The load capacity of A-FRCC beams is found to be higher than that of PVA-FRCC beams. Both specimens showed ductile behavior after the peak. Compression tests of rectangular columns were also conducted to determine the section reduction factors compared to the cylindrical compression test. Using Popovics’ model on the compression side and tensile stress-crack width relationship on the tension side, the stress-strain relationships for the FRCCs are developed. The adaptability of the models is checked by section analysis, and it showed good agreement with bending test results.

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